Co-Working Spaces and Digital Nomadism in the Philippines

Abstract

The rise of digital nomadism and bleisure tourism is reshaping work and travel paradigms, particularly in Southeast Asian countries like the Philippines. However, there is a dearth of studies that delve into the interplay between co-working spaces, digital nomadism, bleisure tourism, and cultural diffusion in the Southeast Asian context. This chapter employed a qualitative approach, conducting semi-structured interviews with co-working space visitors and owners in the Philippines to understand the dynamics of cultural exchange within these spaces. The findings reveal that co-working spaces foster cultural immersion, knowledge transfer, and professional networking among digital nomads and locals. These spaces serve as conduits for cultural diffusion, where both visitors and locals exchange cultural practices, language, and knowledge. The implications of this chapter underscore the need for co-working spaces to prioritize cultural sensitivity and implement safeguarding measures to ensure responsible and sustainable cultural exchange in the context of bleisure tourism.